lsmX-1 ml1 - La Scena Musicale

MUSIC in the HEALTHCARE SECTOR
A PROJECT to BREAK THROUGH THE ISOLATION of SENIORS
Renée Banville
Their faces lit by smiles, their eyes fixed on the
classical guitarist on the small stage, some 60
residents of the Saint-Henri Centre long-term
care facility are thoroughly enjoying this moment
of musical relaxation. A few pensioners are showing
their appreciation rather noisily, but the general
atmosphere is one of contemplation; most
are listening reverently.“This kind of music brings
a calm feeling,” said one enraptured woman.
A RAY OF LIGHT THAT PIERCES THROUGH LONELINESS
SAMS (Société pour les arts en milieux de santé)
was founded in 2009 to improve the quality of life
for people living in long-term care facilities. The
organization’s mandate is to bring cultural events
to those who can no longer go to theatres or concert
halls. The 46 CHSLDs (subsidized long-term
care centres) on the Island of Montreal, all under
the authority of the Quebec Government agency
ASSSM (Agence de la santé et des services sociaux
de Montreal) will be treated to 552 live musical
presentations this year. SAMS hopes to eventually
broaden these activities to rehabilitation and convalescence
centres, youth protection centres, and
other assisted-living and retirement homes.
Four organizations agreed to collaborate with
SAMS: the Conservatoire de musique de
Montréal, the music faculty of the Université de
Montréal, Jeunesses musicales du Canada (JMC),
and Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain.
Between 55 to 70 career musicians and students
in the process of completing their music studies,
all remunerated, will share in presenting the concert
series. According to SAMS’s general and
artistic director, Annie Saumier, the musicians are
enthusiastic about the project, pleased that an
unconventional time of day for concert fare is
serving as a new audience-development opportunity
for them. Conscious of the large pool of
excellent music-makers in the Montreal area,
Annie Saumier plans to continue widening the
partnership to involve a variety of ensembles.
THE DREAM TAKES SHAPE
Modelled on the Health Art Society founded by
David Lemon in British Columbia in 2006, SAMS
is an initiative of Sylvia l’Écuyer, radio host of the
opera program broadcast by Espace musique
(Radio-Canada). The activities of HAS have been
extremely successful among the elderly and their
families, who have expressed their warm appreciation
to the musicians. Wishing to start a similar
organization in Montreal, Sylvia
L’Écuyer approached music-loving
Member of the National
Assembly Daniel Turp for help in
autumn 2008. Won over by the
project, Turp got involved. Pierre
Vachon, communications and
marketing director of Opéra de
Montréal, also joined the team.
On March 16, 2009 these first
three administrators, accompanied
by David Lemon, submitted
the project to the executive
director of the ASSSM, David
Levine. To their delight, Levine
quickly showed an interest and offered his support.
Not only did he help find funding, but he
personally presented the project to the directors.
Shortly afterwards, he announced that the ASSSM
and the Minister of the Quebec Department of
Health and Social Services could offer a grant of
$90,000. Moreover, Levine also found a private
partner, TELUS (Health Solutions), who would
match this amount. SAMS had the means to carry
out the project in its full scope.
AN IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR SENIORS TAKES
CONCRETE FORM
Soon painter Rita Ezrati and Olivier Deshaies of
Hydro-Québec joined the team. With the good
news, the SAMS’s board of governors immediately
began the procedure to become a not-for-profit
organization. An effective leader was needed to
administer the organization and to quickly draw
up the concert program for the 46 residences
concerned, while continuing to develop the project.
Thus, on September 15, 2009, dynamic and
creative manager Annie Saumier became the
first general and artistic director of SAMS. A
musician herself, this rare pearl has a good
knowledge of the cultural scene as well as experience
with Jeunesses Musicales du Canada, on
top of holding an MBA from HEC (École des
Hautes études commerciales de Montréal).
To give the new organization visibility, a launch
was held on May 26, 2009 at the Saint-Henri
Centre facility. The residents had the immense
pleasure of hearing a short performance of
excerpts from the Opéra de Montréal production
of Lucia di Lamermoor by soloists Eglise Gutierrez,
Stephen Costello, Jorge Lagunes, Alain Coulombe,
Sarah Myatt, Antoine Bélanger, and Pierre-Étienne
Bergeron, accompanied by Marie-Ève Scarfone on
piano, an unexpected gift that was greeted by
heartfelt applause. On October 1, the 2009-2010
season was officially launched by a concert at the
Biermans CHSLD on the occasion of International
Music Day, which coincides with the International
Day of Older Persons.
A JOY FOR SENIORS AND A NEW AVENUE FOR
MUSICIANS
At the end of the October 8 th concert at the Centre
Saint-Henri, the residents did not have to be urged
to express the joy that this special moment had
brought them. Brimming with enthusiasm, praised
Annie Saumier and congratulated the guest artist,
guitarist Daniel Bolshoy. Originally from Russia,
Bolshoy has lived in Montreal for two years and
teaches at Concordia University.The virtuoso gained
experience performing for various kinds of audiences
when touring with Jeunesses Musicales, but
this was his first contact with this particular clientele.
Impressed by the group’s attentiveness, he is
eagerly looking forward to his next SAMS concert.
Another resident, a former piano teacher at
the Conservatoire, heartily praised the initiative
that brings joy to the hearts of people isolated
from cultural activities, quoting Pablo Casals:
“Each second we live is a new and unique
moment of the universe, a moment that will
never be again.” In a place where life moves in
low gear, music is like a ray of sunshine, “like a
relaxation session,” according to another appreciative
resident. The musicians ask nothing more
than to share the happiness that music brings.
In her latest book, The Elegance of the
Hedgehog, philosopher Muriel Barbery expresses
a pertinent thought: “Art is life, but at another
rhythm.” The SAMS concerts are already offering
life “at another rhythm” through music, for the
pleasure of our elderly citizens. ■
[Translation: Darcy Dunton]
Novembre 2009 November 53